Health and Safety at Work

The aim of this essay is to investigate the health and safety issues and examine the role of risk assessment and other important policies that should exist in the workplace. “It is estimated that 1.6 million accidents occur each year in the workplace with a cost to the industry of around £700m” (Ref.1). This is why it is hugely necessary to take the rights steps in trying to prevent people from being injured at work. This process is called Health and Safety. Every business has its legal responsibility to work in within Health and Safety rules. These regulation were introduces over 200 years ago, in 1802 in order to protect people from being harmed at work. The first legislation was related to factory work. Its aim was to reduce working hours and take more care of employees. From then onward health and safety legislations have been changing. Over time legislations were being developed to cover more working areas such as offices, railways, shops and buildings. In 1975 Health and Safety Act at Work came to force. Health and Safety Act at Work is the most important piece of legislation. It provides a broad, legal framework of health and safety requirements at the workplace. Health and Safety at Work Act applies to every type of employment. It puts general responsibilities on employers as well as on employees. Employers’ main responsibility is a duty of care towards their employees and the people who visit the place. This must be done by ensuring a safe environment and providing all important information and training for the staff. Although the main responsibility relies on employers, Health and Safety Act at Work states that employees are also required to take care of their selves and other peoples’ safety. It is also their responsibility to inform managers about any accidents or spotted danger. The Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 aims to improve already set up regulations by providing the standardised way of assessing health and